What should a notary do if they suspect fraud during a notarization?

When a notary suspects fraud during a notarization, it is crucial to prioritize the integrity of the notarization process and to protect all parties involved. Stopping the process and reporting the suspicion is the correct course of action because the notary has a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the authenticity of the documents they notarize. Proceeding with the notarization without addressing the suspicion could facilitate fraudulent actions and lead to legal ramifications for the notary.

Additionally, notaries are often not trained or authorized to investigate suspicions of fraud fully. Instead, they must act prudently by ceasing the notarization process and reporting their concerns to the appropriate authorities or other relevant entities. This way, they help ensure that the necessary steps can be taken to address the potential fraud without compromising the integrity of their role as a notary.

By adhering to this protocol, notaries uphold their duties while also protecting themselves from potential liability associated with fraudulent transactions.